When I first watched Gurren Lagann, I knew I had to make an AMV with it. I was thinking for a while, but really couldn't come up with anything really good. On one late night during Anime Los Angeles, Mike (aka The Wizard) of AXFU, suggested I couple Gurren Lagann with Disney's Mulan "I'll Make A Man Out Of You". Instantly, I felt it was a great idea, and was already thinking of how I'd be making it.

Even with my enthusiasm, during the months of January through early April, I couldn't find the motivation to work on this video let alone any video, so I never got anything done. But like last year, close deadlines get me really motivated, and the deadline for Anime Expo was just 2 weeks around the corner. So I stayed up late working on this project for about 2-5 hours a night for about two weeks, and here is the product.

I decided to stick with the first half of the series, mainly because I chose Kamina to sing the song, which fits very well in my opinion. And even though it may or may not seem like it, the video is focused more on Simon, as it is his story to become a man, kick reason to the curb, and surpass the impossible.

Enjoy the epicness of Gurren Lagann. =]

*** WARNING ***

If you don't like AMV's with a TON of lip-sync, don't bother watching this, as you won't like it. But I say this song calls for lip-syncing, so /shrug. =P

*** END WARNING ***

Awards:

Anime Expo 2008 Best Action/Adventure and Creator's Favorite
Fanime 2008 Best Experimental and Best in Show
Animazement 2008 Manliest Montage Award
ANimethon 15 (2008) Best Action/Adventure
Otafest 2008 Second Place and Outstanding Song To Scene
Japan Expo International AMV Contest 10th Place
MikomiCon 08 Best of Show, Best Action, and Judges Favorite
AnimeUSA 2008 Best Action
Zenkaikon 2008 Best Drama
Anime Banzai 2008 Best Action

Lyrics:

Let's get down to business,
To defeat the Huns.
Did they send me daughters,
When I asked for sons?
You're the saddest bunch,
I ever met.
But you can bet,
Before we're through.
Mister, I'll make a man,
Out of you.

Tranquil as a forest,
But on fire within.
Once you find your center,
You are sure to win.
You're a spineless, pale,
Pathetic lot.
And you haven't got a clue.
Somehow I'll make a man,
Out of you.

I'm never gonna catch,
My breath.
Say good-bye to those,
Who knew me.
Boy, was I a fool in school,
For cutting gym.
This guy's got 'em,
Scared to death.
Hope he doesn't see,
Right through me.
Now I really wish that I
knew how to swim.

(Be a man)
We must be swift as,
The coursing river.
(Be a man)
With all the force,
Of a great typhoon.
(Be a man)
With all the strength,
Of a raging fire.
Mysterious as the,
Dark side of the moon.

Time is racing toward us,
'Till the Huns arrive.
Heed my every order,
And you might survive.
You're unsuited for,
The rage of war.
So pack up, go home,
You're through.
How could I make a man,
Out of you?

(Be a man)
We must be swift as,
The coursing river.
(Be a man)
With all the force,
Of a great typhoon.
(Be a man)
With all the strength,
Of a raging fire.
Mysterious as the,
Dark side of the moon.

(Be a man)
We must be swift as,
The coursing river.
(Be a man)
With all the force,
Of a great typhoon.
(Be a man)
With all the strength,
Of a raging fire.
Mysterious as the,
Dark side of the moon.